ACCESS announced Tuesday the election of its new board president, attorney William W. Swor, who, along with the board, will continue to support the nonprofit social and economic services organization in fulfilling its mission and vision of enabling and empowering individuals, families and communities to lead informed, productive and culturally sensitive lives.
Swor’s legal background greatly adds to the vast skillset and knowledge of the ACCESS board of directors—ranging from education and technology to finance and a myriad of other exciting backgrounds—advancing ACCESS’ ability to make a real difference in the community.
“Bill has been active in the community for many years. He has fought and continues to fight for the civil rights of others both as a trial attorney and as a member of the community,” said Hassan Jaber, ACCESS executive director. “Bill is passionate about ACCESS and as president, he will continue to move the community forward.”
Swor has served on the ACCESS board since 1999.
“I am honored by the trust placed in me by the ACCESS board and membership,” Swor said. “ACCESS is one of the premier social services agencies in the country. ACCESS has been an agent for change in the way in which many nonprofits deliver services, and how Arab Americans are viewed as part of the social fabric of America.”
The grandson of Lebanese immigrants, Swor is the father of three children and seven grandchildren. He is a member of the board of directors of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan; a fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, currently sitting on its board of governors; served as a member of the Representative Assembly of the State Bar of Michigan; and served two terms as chairman of the General Practice Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
Swor has tried many high profile and politically-charged cases. He was counsel for one of the defendants in the first terrorism case brought to court in the United States after Sept. 11, 2001, which resulted in the dismissal of all charges against the defendant. He was lead counsel for 19 Arab men who were rounded up immediately after 9/11 and falsely accused of conspiracy to engage in terrorism against the United States. In addition, he participated in the defense of several charities accused by the federal government of providing support to terrorism, or providing humanitarian aid in violation of government sanctions.
Swor has authored articles on various aspects of practicing law, and has spoken frequently on legal issues in print and electronic media. He has lectured and written extensively on the need to guard against the loss of American freedoms, and has tried several cases in which Arabs and Arab Americans were accused of supporting terrorism.
He has taught at conferences hosted by numerous professional organizations, including the State Bar of Michigan, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan, the National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan.
In 2005, William received the Detroit Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild’s Defender of Justice award in recognition of his work on behalf of four Middle Eastern men who had been falsely accused of supporting terrorism. In 2004, he received the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan Justice for All award. In addition, William has received the Detroit ACLU Bernard Gottfried award, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2007 Rodney Thaxton Against All Odds award. In 2010, the American Arab Chamber of Commerce named him its Legal Professional of the Year.
Swor has served on the national legal committees of numerous political, legal, religious and charitable organizations. He is currently a member of the Practitioners Advisory Group to the United States Sentencing Commission, and a member of the Advisory Board of the ACLU of Michigan. He is also a member of the National Policy Council of the Arab American Institute, where he works to politically educate and empower the Arab American community.
“Our new board of directors brings a unique level of professional skill and vision for the future of ACCESS. They come from the community, business and the academic world. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with them,” Swor said. “With this professional board, and the staff at ACCESS, which has always demonstrated its passion for service, creativity and excellence, we look forward to a year in which we expand our ability to serve the community, and lead the way into the future.”
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